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Norway international Martin Odegaard made 20 appearances for Arsenal during the second half of last season; Odegaard joins for an initial £30m plus bonuses; watch Arsenal vs Chelsea on Sunday, live on Sky Sports from 4pm
Mikel Arteta says Martin Odegaard has a unique talent that suits Arsenal's style of play as he also offers an update on the imminent arrival of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale
Arsenal have completed the signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid on a permanent deal.
The Norway international, who joins for an initial £30m plus bonuses worth around £4m, was in London on Wednesday undergoing a medical after the two clubs reached an agreement.
Arsenal VS Chelsea
Sunday 22nd August 4:00pmKick off 4:30pm
The 22-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with the Gunners after failing to break into the Real Madrid team under Zinedine Zidane, and now returns to the Emirates Stadium on a five-year deal.
He made 20 appearances across all competitions, with one of his two goals coming in the north London derby win over Tottenham in March.
Odegaard - who will wear the No 8 shirt - will be unavailable for Arsenal's Premier League clash with London rivals Chelsea on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Asked what the 22-year-old will add to his squad, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: "A lot of things that he brought last season. He made us better, we needed more options and alternatives for creativity.
"He is still a really young man but he has huge experiences in clubs already and has unique talents for the way we want to play so I am really pleased the club have made the effort."
Odegaard made his professional debut for Norwegian side Stromsgodset in 2014 as a 15-year-old.
He moved to Real Madrid in 2015 and went on to become their youngest ever player, while he also achieved the same feat for Norway.
However, he struggled for first-team football at Real and was sent on loan to Heerenveen, Vitesse and Real Sociedad before joining Arsenal.
In six years at the Bernabeu, Odegaard made just 11 appearances for Real Madrid's first team, and he was not part of new manager Carlo Ancelotti's plans this season.
Martin Odegaard brings much-needed creativity for Arsenal following his permanent transfer from Real Madrid, says Arsenal Fan TV's Robbie Lyle
Arsenal are also close to completing a £24m deal for Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, with Arteta saying: "There is still some paperwork but his medical is done, still a few things to sort with Sheffield."
The fee for the 23-year-old could rise by another £6m in add-ons depending on whether he becomes the Gunners' long-term No 1.
Ramsdale has been on boss Mikel Arteta's radar this summer, having originally joined Sheffield United from Bournemouth in 2020.
The Cherries are entitled to a 15-per-cent sell-on fee of anything over £19m.
Ramsdale's arrival at the Emirates would likely see back-up goalkeeper Alex Runarsson allowed to leave the club.
The Athletic's David Ornstein believes Arsenal have made shrewd signings during the summer transfer window and that criticism of the proposed arrival of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is unwarranted
Ramsdale, capped at U18 to U21 level by England, re-joined Sheffield United last summer in an £18.5m deal from relegated Bournemouth.
He was Sheffield United's player of the season despite their relegation last term and the same was the case in his final season at Bournemouth in 2019/20.
Ramsdale was part of England's Euro 2020 squad which reached the final, but is yet to make his full international debut.